Session is the most private option here: it needs no phone number or email and routes messages through onion paths, though its FAQ says perfect forward secrecy returns only with Session Protocol V2. For builders, XMTP is the main wallet messaging network, with fees paid by apps in USDC at about $5 per 100,000 messages. Mailchain, often listed in older roundups, shut down on May 5, 2026.
Quick answer
Session is the best messenger for private chats without a phone number. Use Convos or another XMTP app to message wallet addresses, and Status if you want a messenger and Ethereum wallet in one app.
- 01Session: best for privacy
- 02Convos: Best XMTP app
- 03Status: Best messenger plus wallet
- 04Towns: best for group chats
- 05XMTP: best for developers
The 6 best web3 messaging tools
Session needs no phone number or email, routes messages through onion paths across community nodes staked with SESH, and its code is open source. Apps cover iOS, Android, Windows, macOS and Linux, and it is in the US App Store.
- Platforms
- iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux
- Token
- SESH
- Open source
- Yes, public repositories on GitHub
- Company
- Session Technology Foundation (Switzerland)
- US availability
- Yes, listed in the US App Store
Pros
- No phone number or email required
- Messages routed through onion paths across community nodes
- Apps for iOS, Android, Windows, macOS and Linux
Cons
- Perfect forward secrecy is missing until Session Protocol V2, per its FAQ
- Home page carries a funding appeal for continued development
- Some features sit behind paid Session Pro
Skip it if you need perfect forward secrecy today: its FAQ says it returns in Session Protocol V2.
Convos is the XMTP team's own messenger, published by XMTP Labs, for encrypted chats with people and AI agents. It is listed in the US App Store.
- Platforms
- iOS, Android
- Company
- XMTP Labs, Inc.
- US availability
- Yes, listed in the US App Store
Pros
- Built by the team behind the XMTP protocol
- Listed in the US App Store
- Chats with people and AI agents in one app
Cons
- Mobile only; no desktop app listed
- Site has little public documentation
- Only reaches contacts on the XMTP network
Skip it if you want a desktop app: Convos lists iOS and Android only.
#3S
Best messenger plus wallet
Status combines a private messenger, a self-custody Ethereum wallet and a web3 browser, with desktop apps for macOS, Windows and Linux. Its code is on GitHub and it charges no fee of its own on swaps.
- Custody
- Self-custody
- Chains
- Ethereum and EVM networks
- Platforms
- iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux
- Swap fee
- No Status fee; swap provider and network fees apply
- US availability
- Yes
Pros
- No Status fee on swaps, per its help center
- Desktop apps for macOS, Windows and Linux
- Source code public on GitHub (status-im/status-app)
Cons
- Swap service fee is set by the third-party provider and not listed
- Users of the old mobile app must migrate to the new Status app
- Default swap slippage is 0.5%, so small trades can fail if set lower
Skip it if you still use the old Status mobile app: you must migrate to the new one.
Towns runs encrypted group chats, called Spaces, with onchain paid memberships and tips on Base. Node operators stake TOWNS, and the app is in the US App Store.
- Chains
- Base, plus its own Towns Chain
- Platforms
- Web, iOS
- Token
- TOWNS
- Chains
- Base (smart contracts), plus Towns Chain
- Open source
- Yes, public repositories on GitHub
Pros
- Onchain paid memberships for group chats
- End-to-end encrypted messages
- Protocol code public on GitHub
Cons
- Staking yield on the token page is marked as variable
- Featured groups center on trading and money topics
- Fees route to TOWNS buy and burn, so costs track that token
Skip it if you want one-to-one private chat: Towns is built for groups.
XMTP is an open protocol with quantum-resistant, end-to-end encryption and SDKs for browser, Node, React Native, iOS and Android. Apps pay about $5 per 100,000 messages in USDC, and its code is on GitHub.
- Platforms
- API, SDK
- Fees
- Paid by apps in USDC; estimated $5 per 100,000 messages
- Open source
- Yes, public repositories on GitHub
Pros
- Quantum-resistant, end-to-end encrypted messages
- SDKs for browser, Node, React Native, iOS and Android
- Code public on GitHub (108 repositories)
Cons
- A protocol, not an app: end users need Convos or another client
- Apps pay network fees in USDC, about $5 per 100,000 messages
- Fee figure is an estimate, not a fixed price
Skip it if you are an end user: pick an XMTP app such as Convos instead.
Push Protocol, formerly EPNS, sends notifications and chats to wallet addresses and has a MetaMask Snap. Its GitHub organization now points to Push Chain, the team's new blockchain.
- Platforms
- Web, API, SDK
- Token
- PUSH
- Open source
- Yes, 32 public repositories under Push Chain
Pros
- Notifications reach wallets across chains
- MetaMask Snap for receiving alerts
- SDK code public on GitHub
Cons
- The push-protocol GitHub organization says it moved to pushchain
- push.org now leads with Push Chain, not messaging
- Chat payments are still marked coming soon
Skip it if you want a product in active focus: the team now leads with Push Chain.
Not on this list
Mailchain: shut down: its site says the service was permanently discontinued on May 5, 2026.
Dmail: its site returned only a page title when we checked, so we could not verify the product.
Base App: base.app now shows Coinbase Wallet with no messaging features listed.
Web3 Messaging Tools compared
Select a name to jump to its review.
| Name | Best for | US availability | Token |
|---|
| Session | No phone number, onion routed | Yes, listed in the US App Store | SESH |
|---|
| Convos | Chat with wallets and agents | Yes, listed in the US App Store | Not verified |
|---|
| Status | Chat, wallet and browser | Yes | Not verified |
|---|
| Towns | Paid communities on Base | Yes, listed in the US App Store | TOWNS |
|---|
| XMTP | Add chat to a dApp | Not verified | Not verified |
|---|
| Push Protocol | dApp notifications | Not verified | PUSH |
|---|
“Not verified” means we could not confirm the value on the project’s own pages.
How we rank web3 messaging tools
- 01Encryption: end-to-end encryption and what the project says is still missing.
- 02Sign-up: whether you need a phone number, email or only a wallet or account ID.
- 03Open code: public repositories on GitHub or similar.
- 04US access: listed in the US App Store, where an app exists.
- 05Costs: published message fees or paid tiers.
No project paid to be listed or ranked. Full rules: methodology.
How to choose
App or protocol
XMTP and Push are protocols that developers build on. Convos, Session, Status and Towns are apps you install.
Wallet address vs account ID
XMTP apps reach people by wallet address or other identities. Session uses a random account ID with no phone number, which hides who you are but means contacts must share IDs.
Check the project is still alive
Mailchain shut down on May 5, 2026, and Push now leads with Push Chain. Before moving a community, check the project's own site and GitHub.
Who should skip all of these
- People who only need chats with friends who use Signal or WhatsApp.
- Anyone who cannot back up a recovery phrase or account ID.
Bottom line
For personal privacy pick Session; for reaching wallet addresses pick an XMTP app such as Convos.
Builders should start with XMTP and budget about $5 per 100,000 messages.
Educational content, not financial advice. Crypto assets are volatile; do your own research.
FAQ
What is the most private web3 messenger?
±
Session: no phone number or email, onion routing and open-source code. Its FAQ notes perfect forward secrecy returns in Session Protocol V2.
Is Mailchain still working?
±
No. Mailchain's site says the service was permanently discontinued on May 5, 2026 and user data was deleted.
How much does XMTP cost?
±
Apps pay network fees in USDC, which XMTP estimates at $5 per 100,000 chat messages. End users of apps such as Convos do not pay per message.
Which web3 messengers work in the US?
±
Session, Convos, Status and Towns are all listed in the US App Store.
What changed in this list
2026-09-26First version: 6 messaging apps and protocols; Mailchain, Dmail and Base App excluded after checks.